Fragmentation bomb



Dec. 24, 1946.

R. TAGLIALATELA FRAGMENTATION BOMB Filed May 2o, 1944 2 vWc/wtom 3 Hubert Taglalatsla 33M MVWMMW Patented Dec. 24, 1946 6 Claims.

amended April 30, 1928; .370 0.v G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to aerial bombs, more particularly, of the type provided with a time fuze set to explode the Ibomb at a predetermined height above ground and cause the scattering of the bomb fragmentations over a considerable target area. The object of the invention is to provide a bomb of the character indicated which in exploding will cause the shrapnel to burst downwardly instead of laterally or outwardly, so that the shrapnel is sprayed in an umbrella pattern. For the attainment of this and such other objects of invention as may appear r be pointed out herein I have shown an embodiment of my invention in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation through the improved bomb of this invention;

Figure 2 is a Cross-section taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is an isometric view of an anvil component; and

Figure 4 is an isometric View of a ring component.

The improved aerial bomb of this invention comprises a forward nose member l and a rear tail member ID. Nose member l has a central opening in which is secured a time fuze 9 and a booster 8 which extends into the inner chamber 'l of the bomb containing the explosive charge. Nose member l has a hollow interior dening an outer wall 2. Within the hollow interior the nose member is provided with an annular rib l which is separated from the outer wall 2 by an annular groove 3. The tail member l0, to which is attached the stabilizing fins Il, likewise has a hollow interior defining an outer wall i2. Both the outer wall 2 of the nose member and the outer wall l2 of the tail member IG are internally threaded to receive the threaded ends of a long tube 5, The end of tube that is screwed to nose member l is received in the annular groove 3 between outer wall 2 and annular rib il. The annular rib li is likewise internally threaded; the threaded end of an inner tube l5 is screwed into annular rib 4. The other end of inner tube I5 is closed by being drawn to a frusto-conical formation IB. From the top of the frusto-conicaIclosure IS projects a pin Il which is received in a centrally located counterbore i3 lprovided in the tail member l0.

The inner tube I5 defines the central chamber 1 containing the explosive charge. Encircling 2 inner tube I5 are a plurality of pieces which I have termed anvils and which are designated generally as 2l). Anvils 2i), which may be cold rolled steel stampings or steel or iron castings, are annular or ring-shaped as best shown in the detail thereof in Fig. 3, defining a central hole somewhat larger in diameter than inner tube l5 so that the anvils may be slipped over the inner tube. The top and bottom surface of the anvil are inclined downwardly, with the inclined top surface 2i parallel to the inclined bottom surface 22, Fig. 3, so that the anvils may be stacked one above the other as shown in Fig. 1. Cut in the bottom inclined surface 22 of the anvil are a plurality of radial channels 26 spaced at equal distances from each other around the circumference of the anvil. Channels 26 are also downwardly inclined and parallel to top and bottom inclined surfaces 2i and 22 of the anvil. A lock ring i8, Fig. 1, may be placed above the top anvil 2l) and fitted tightly around the inner tube l5 to hold the stack of anvils in place.

Surrounding the stack of anvils is the outer tube 5. Encircling outer tube 5 and also stacked like the anvils 20, are a plurality of pieces which I have termed rings and which are designated generally as 30 and which, as best shown in the detail thereof in Fig, `4, are annular or ringshaped similar to the anvils 2li. The rings 30 are larger than the anvils all as they are required to be stacked in encircling relation to the anvils. The central hole of the ring is somewhat larger in diameter than outer tube 5 so that the rings may be slipped over the outer tube. 'Similarly to the anvils, the top and bottom surfaces of the anvil are inclined downwardly, with the inclined top surface 3l parallel to the inclined bottom surface 32, Fig. 4, so that the rings may be stacked one above the other, as shown in Fig. 1. The inclination of the top and bottom surfaces, 3| and 32, of the rings 30 is greater, see Fig. 1, than the inclination of the top and bottom surfaces, 2l and 22, of the anvils 2B. Preferably, alternate ones of the rings 30 are made of cast iron and of steel.

The outer wall 2 of the nose member l is beveled at the same inclination as that of the top and bottom surfaces of rings 30 so that the lowest ring may be nested thereon, as clearly seen in Fig. 1. The outer wall -IZ of the tail member le is likewise beveled at the same inclination so that tail member l0 may be nested on the topmost ring, as in Fig. 1. The tail member I0 is the last component of the assembly, and by screwing iton the upper threadedl end oi outer ring 5,

the nested stack of rings 30 are locked together.

The outer tube 5 is provided with a plurality of long slots 6 extending substantially the length of the stack of anvils and rings, see Fig. 1. The number of slots 6 is equal to the number of channels 2G of the anvil and are equally spaced circumferentially to align with the'channels 26, as best seen in Fig. 2.

When the explosive charge l is set off, instantly shattering the relatively thin and weak inner tube I5, the blast of the explosive is conducted through the plurality of downwardly-directed channels 2B of the plurality of anvils 2Q, clearing through the long slots 5 of outer tube 5. The multiplicity of blasts shot through the many channels of the anvils strike the inside circumferential wall of the plurality of rings 3E! in a downward direction and cause the shattered fragments of the rings t0 assume a downwardly spreading course rather than an outwardly lateral one. The outer circumferential wall of the ring has equallyespaced fragmentation indentations 33 which tend to cause more uniform and greater fragmentation. The downward dispersion of the shrapnel in an umbrella pattern is further assisted by the increased downward inclination of the top and lower surface 3l and 32 of the rings, and by the alternate arrangement of steel and cast iron rings.

I claim:

l. An aerial bomb comprising, in combination, a nose member having an internally threaded outer wall and provided with a centrally located annular rib having internal threads, a tail member having an internally threaded outer Wall and provided with a central counterbore, an inner tube externally threaded at one end for screwing into the said annular rib of the nose member and closed at the other end and provided with .a pin projecting from the said closed end and receivable in the said central counterbore of the tail member, explosive charge filling the said inner tube, a plurality of ring-shaped anvils having a central opening adapted to slip over the said inner tube, the vtop and bottom surfaces of the anvils being inclined downwardly in parallel relation, the said anvils having a plurality of spaced radial channels inclined downwardly in parallel with the said top and bottom surfaces of the anvils, the plurality of anvils being stacked in ringed relation to the said inner tube with the parallel inclined top and bottom surfaces of the anvils in nested relation, an outer tube. having externally threaded ends in surrounding re,- lation to the said stacked anvils with one of its threaded ends screwed in the said internally threaded outer wall of the nose member, a plurality of annular rings having a central opening adapted to slip over the said outer tube, the top and bottom surfaces of the rings being inclined downwardly in parallel relation, the plurality of rings being stacked in ringed relation to the said outer tube with the parallel inclined top and bottom surfaces of the rings in nested relation, the said outer wall of the nose memberhaving a beveled edge upon which the lowermost ring of the said stack of rings rests in nested relation, and the said outer wall of the tail member having a beveled edge adapted to rest on the topmost ring of the said stack of rings in nested relation, whereby the said nose member, rings, and tail member present a solid outer bomb wall, the tail member turning freely on the said pin of the inner tube as the said tail member screws into 4 the threaded end of the outer tube to lock the parts together.

2. An aerial bomb comprising, in combination, a nose member, a tail member, an inner tube held between the said nose and tail members, explosive charge filling the said inner tube, a plurality of ring-shaped anvils having a central opening ada-pted to slip over the said inner tube, the top and bottom surfaces of the anvils being inclined downwardly in parallel relation, the said anvils having a plurality of spaced radial channels inclined downwardly in parallel with the said top and bottom surfaces of the anvils, the plurality of anvils being stacked in ringed relation to the said inner tube with the parallel inclined top and bottom surfaces of the anvils in nested relation, an outer tube held between the said nose and tail members in surrounding relation to the said stacked anvils and provided with parallel slots extending substantially the full length of said outer tube and registering with the radial channels in the anvils, a plurality of annular rings having a central opening adapted to slip over the outer tube, the top and bottom surfaces of the rings being inclined downwardly in parallel relation, the plurality of rines being stacked in ringed relation to the said outer tube with the parallel inclined top and bottom surfaces of the rings in nested relation, the outer wall of the nose member having a beveled edge upon which the lowermosty ring of the said stack of rings rests in nested relation, and the outer wall of the tail member having a beveled edge adapted to rest on the top-most ring of the said stack of rings in nested relation,

- whereby the said nose member, rings, and tail member present a solid outer bomb wall.

3. An aerial bomb comprising, in combination, a nose member, a tail member, an inner tube held between the said nose and tail members, explosive charge filling the said inner tube, a plurality of ring-shaped anvils having a central opening adapted to slip over the said inner tube, the top and bottom surfaces of the anvils being inclined downwardly in parallel relation, the said anvils having a plurality of spaced radial channels inclined downwardly in parallel with the said top and bottom surfaces of the anvils, the plurality of anvils being stackedv in ringed relation to the said inner tube with the parallel inclined top and bottom surfaces of the anvils in nested relation, an outer tube held between the said nose and tail members in surrounding relation to the said stacked anvils and having parallel slots` extending substantially thev full length of said outer tube and registering with the radial channels in the anvils, a plurality of annular rings having a central opening adapted to slip over the said outer tube, the top and bottom surfaces of the rings being inclined downwardly in parallel relation, the plurality of rings being stacked in ringed relation to the said outer tube with the parallel inclined top and bottom surfaces of the rings in nested relation.

4i. .An aerial bomb comprising, in combination, an inner stack of ring-shaped anvils and a stack of annular rings surrounding the said anvils, the top and bottom surfaces of the said anvils being inclined downwardly in parallel relation, the top and bottom surfaces of said rings being also inclined downwardly in parallel relation, but at a sharper angle than the surfaces of the anvils and the said inner anvils having a plurality of spaced radial channels inclined downwardly inr parallel with the said top and bottom surfaces ofthe anvils.

5. An aerial bomb having a solid tail portion and a solid nose portion, a tube connecting said portions and provided with numerous axial parallel slots extending substantially the full length of the tube, an mperiorate tube within and spaced from said slotted tube and spanning the distance between said solid portions of the bomb and containing an explosive charge, a fuse in the nose portion and having a booster extending into the lower end of said charge, numerous ring-shaped anvils having top and bottom surfaces inclining downwardly and outwardly, said anvils having parallel radially arranged channels in registry with the slots in the slotted tube and surrounding the imperforate charge containing tube and in nested relation to each other and filling the space between said tubes, numerous rings in nested relation surrounding the slotted tube, said rings having top and bottom parallel surfaces extending downwardly and outwardly and at a steeper angle than the surfaces or" the anvils, and means for clamping the anvils and rings between the solid portions of the bomb.

ner explosive charge containing tube centrally located with relation to said portions, threaded into the nose and engaging the tail portion, an outer tube surrounding the charge containing the tube and spaced therefrom and threaded into both of said solid portions whereby said portions are connected, said outer tube being provided with numerous parallel slots extending for substaninclined downwardly and outwardly in parallel relation and at a steeper angle than the surfaces of the anvils, the rings being arranged in nested relation and filling the space between the tail and nose portions of the bomb, and a time fuse in the nose portion arranged to ignite the charge in the inner tube at the lower end of said tube.

ROBERT TAGLIALATELA. 

